Festivals & events
40 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.
- New Year's Day (1 January · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating the start of the new year with festivities across the country. Banks, government offices, and many busi…
- Coptic Christmas (7 January · Cairo, Alexandria, throughout Egypt · National) — The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas following the Julian calendar, with special church services and family gatherings. A public…
- Hanging Church Festival (All January · Cairo · Cairo & Giza) — Celebrations at Cairo's iconic Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa) in Coptic Cairo with special liturgies and gatherings of pilgrims. Dates vary a…
- Revolution Day (January 25) (25 January · All regions · National) — Commemorates the 2011 Egyptian Revolution with rallies, ceremonies, and street celebrations across the country. A major national public hol…
- Abu Simbel Sun Festival (22–23 February · Abu Simbel · Aswan & Nubia) — Twice yearly phenomenon where the sun illuminates the inner sanctum of Abu Simbel temple, drawing thousands of visitors to witness this ast…
- Luxor Balloon Festival (All February · Luxor · Luxor & Thebes) — Hot air balloon rides over the Valley of the Kings and Luxor's monuments, typically held in cooler winter months with multiple balloons lau…
- Ismailia International Festival (All February · Ismailia · Suez Canal & Sinai) — Celebrates Ismailia's heritage with cultural performances, sporting events, and exhibitions highlighting the Suez Canal's importance. Usual…
- Coptic Easter (Moveable) (All March · Throughout Egypt · Cairo & Giza) — The Coptic Orthodox Easter celebration with solemn Holy Week services and joyful resurrection celebrations following the Julian calendar. D…
- Sinai Liberation Day (25 April · All regions · National) — Commemorates Egypt's complete withdrawal from Sinai in 1982 with military parades and nationalist celebrations. A public holiday.
- Sham El Nessim (All April · Throughout Egypt · National) — Ancient Egyptian spring festival celebrated the day after Coptic Easter with outdoor picnics, traditional foods, and family gatherings in p…
- Labour Day (1 May · All regions · National) — International labour day celebrated in Egypt with worker demonstrations and public holidays for rest and celebration.
- Eid al-Fitr (Moveable) (All April · All regions · National) — Three-day Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan with family gatherings, new clothes, gifts, and special foods. Major public holiday w…
- Eid al-Adha (Moveable) (All June · All regions · National) — Four-day Islamic festival of sacrifice commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, celebrated with animal slaughter, feasting…
- Islamic New Year (Moveable) (All July · All regions · National) — Marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year with religious observances and some public celebrations. A public holiday.
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday - Mawlid al-Nabi (Moveable) (All September · All regions · National) — Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad with religious gatherings, processions, and special sweets distributed throughout Muslim communiti…
- Cairo International Film Festival (All November · Cairo · Cairo & Giza) — One of Africa's oldest and most prestigious film festivals featuring international and Arab cinema with screenings, premieres, and industry…
- Revolution Day (June 30) (30 June · All regions · National) — Commemorates the June 30, 2013 protests and demonstrations with national celebrations and official ceremonies. A public holiday.
- Nile Flood Festival (Historical) (All August · Luxor and Upper Egypt regions · Luxor & Thebes) — Commemorates the ancient Egyptian celebration of the Nile's inundation season with cultural events and historical reenactments. Modern cele…
- Alexandria International Summer Festival (All July · Alexandria · Alexandria) — Multi-week festival featuring music, theatre, dance, and cultural performances celebrating Mediterranean heritage along Alexandria's waterf…
- Aswan Nubia Festival (All February · Aswan · Aswan & Nubia) — Celebrates Nubian culture with traditional music, dance, crafts, and cuisine in Aswan. Features performances from local Nubian communities.
- Hurghada Red Sea Festival (All October · Hurghada · Red Sea Riviera) — Beach festival celebrating Red Sea tourism with water sports, music, diving competitions, and beach activities. Celebrates marine life and…
- Abu Simbel Sun Festival (Second) (22–23 October · Abu Simbel · Aswan & Nubia) — Second annual occurrence of the sun phenomenon at Abu Simbel temple when sunlight penetrates the inner sanctum, attracting thousands of vis…
- Sharm El-Sheikh International Triathlon (All April · Sharm El-Sheikh · Sinai Peninsula) — International sporting event featuring swimming, cycling, and running competitions attracting athletes from around the world. Showcases Sin…
- El Gouna Festival of Arts (All September · El Gouna · Red Sea Riviera) — Contemporary arts festival in the planned resort town featuring visual arts, sculpture, and cultural performances. Celebrates modern Egypti…
- Suez Canal Day (26 July · All regions · National) — Celebrates the nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956 with ceremonies, parades, and national pride events in canal cities. A public holi…
- Dendera Temple Festival (All March · Dendera · Upper Egypt) — Celebrates the Dendera Temple complex with cultural performances and historical reenactments. Honors the Temple of Hathor in ancient Dender…
- Edfu Horus Festival (All April · Edfu · Upper Egypt) — Celebrates the Temple of Horus with historical reenactments and cultural events highlighting ancient Egyptian religious practices. Performe…
- Luxor Luxor Marathon (All February · Luxor · Luxor & Thebes) — International marathon run through ancient Thebes with routes passing temples and archaeological sites. Combines sport with sightseeing.
- Aswan International Women's Film Festival (All March · Aswan · Aswan & Nubia) — Annual film festival showcasing films by and about women with screenings and discussions. Important cultural event for independent cinema.
- Wadi El Rayan Eco-Tourism Festival (All November · Wadi El Rayan · Western Desert) — Celebrates the protected desert ecosystem with eco-friendly activities, bird watching, and nature education. Held in the stunning Wadi El R…
- Dakhla Oasis Festival (All October · Dakhla Oasis · Western Desert) — Celebrates oasis culture with traditional music, crafts, and desert heritage featuring local Bedouin traditions. Showcases unique desert co…
- Nile Delta Agricultural Fair (All March · Tanta region · Nile Delta) — Celebrates the Nile Delta's rich agricultural heritage with crop exhibitions, farming competitions, and traditional products. Important eve…
- Tanta Sugar Festival (All September · Tanta · Nile Delta) — Celebrates Egypt's sugar production with displays, traditional sweets, and family entertainment in Tanta. Features local sugar-based delica…
- Port Said International Theatre Festival (All October · Port Said · Suez Canal & Sinai) — Prestigious theatre festival featuring Egyptian and international theatrical performances. Celebrates dramatic arts and cultural exchange.
- Revolution Day (July 23) (23 July · All regions · National) — Commemorates the 1952 Free Officers' Revolution that overthrew the monarchy with military parades and nationalist celebrations. A major pub…
- Armed Forces Day (6 October · All regions · National) — Commemorates Egypt's armed forces with military parades, ceremonies, and celebrations honoring soldiers and national defense. A public holi…
- Nubian Festival of Culture and Arts (All November · Aswan and surrounding Nubian areas · Aswan & Nubia) — Comprehensive celebration of Nubian heritage with music, dance, traditional crafts, and cuisine featuring the vibrant Nubian community. Hig…
- Alexandria Mediterranean Tourism Forum (All September · Alexandria · Alexandria) — International tourism forum and cultural festival celebrating Alexandria's Mediterranean heritage with exhibitions and performance events.…
- Egyptian National Day (11 November · All regions · National) — National holiday celebrating Egyptian sovereignty and national identity with official ceremonies and street celebrations throughout the cou…
- New Year Eve Celebrations (31 December · Major cities and resorts · Cairo & Giza) — Grand celebrations ringing in the new year with parties, fireworks, and festivities throughout major cities including Cairo, Alexandria, an…